Energy transition in Baja California, a challenge for freight transport

By Luis Miguel Ramírez Ensenada, Baja California, September 15. – Achieving the energy transition in freight transport is a challenge for Baja California due to the global urgency to achieve decarbonization, said Israel Delgado Vallejo. The vice president of the Northwest Region of the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) noted that “freight transportation, zero CARB emissions” will be a topic that will be heard frequently. At the last meeting open to members organized by the Foreign Trade and Logistics Committee of the Index Zona Costa BC, it was important to know what changes will take place at the border to achieve this goal. Implementing this program in this company is a complicated challenge that requires the involvement of the energy, government, industrial and logistics sectors. Regulation in California The state of California is implementing a zero emissions initiative using electric and hydrogen technologies. We are 10 years ahead in the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy; From January 1, 2024, 9 percent of the vehicle fleet must be electrified. Delgado Vallejo mentioned that in 2025, 10 percent of light vehicles will have to convert to electrification, while this will have to happen in 2027 for trucks without a cab. Starting in 2035, when fossil fuel vehicles will no longer be allowed to be sold in the state of California, the chamber’s vice president for the Northwest region said in his presentation. In the case of Baja California, he noted that, at the initiative of Canacar and the Ministry of Economy, a committee is being formed to achieve the energy transition within the timetable set by California. “In Mexico there is no tax incentive that allows the transport company to purchase new electric or diesel units; The fleet of freight vehicles in the country is on average 18 to 20 years old and it is a challenge to narrow this gap,” he said.